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Topic: .357 Maximum Reamer (Read 2253 times)

I asked this question on the .357 Maximum Reamer list, but I thought this may be a better place to ask since many of you have used this reamer.

I understand this reamer is the correct rifle type. Can anyone tell me how long the throat is with this reamer? Specifically, what cartridge overall length is required to touch the lands with a Hornady 180gr. SSP or a Hornady 200 gr. FTX.

I have only loaded the 180 HP/XTPs and to touch the lands is about 2.005". I stopped reaming a little short so as not to increase the rim cut on my barrel. Lotta folks here shoot the bullets you mentioned so you should get an answer shortly as the 357 Maxi is held in very high esteem around here.

BB

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Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Thanks for the info guys. Yote, what you described is more what I am looking for. Can you give me the details (part# etc.) of your reamer. My current Ruger No. 1 .357 mag, rechamber to the Max was done by a local gunsmith and it sounds more like what Tim described. My first Max. barrel was an MGM Encore where I asked for a short throat and with the 180 SSP seated to the cannelure, I was .025 off the lands. I'm considering rechambering a second Ruger No. 1 but I want to get a handle on understanding reamer designs. Tim, is it possible to ream the case dimensions separate from the throat, like in two steps so you can tailor the throat to whatever you desire in order to control bullet jump? From what I have learned over the past few years, I would like to have a slightly longer C.O.L. but not extreme like I have now.Thanks Again,Steve

Tim, is it possible to ream the case dimensions separate from the throat, like in two steps so you can tailor the throat to whatever you desire in order to control bullet jump? From what I have learned over the past few years, I would like to have a slightly longer C.O.L. but not extreme like I have now.Thanks Again,Steve

I'm sure you could, but not likely with my reamer.

Tim

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Excellent reamer will easily re-chamber a 357 Mag to a Maximum. True 6 deg ramp. You can chamber completely or stop when your target / hunting load touches the bore. I have re-chambered 3 Handi Rifles with this reamer and all three shoot excellent groups.

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"Always do right, this will gratify some and astonish the rest" - Mark Twain

Almost forgot, another member used the 357 Maxi reamer to lengthen his 357 Mag to 360 DW. Said it worked fine and helped the accuracy.

EDIT, don't post before having first cup of coffee. The other member had a 357 Mag that he build as a stub project, the barrel was from either a lever or bolt gun. He ended up with a slightly short chamber that wouldn't accept a 357 MAG, he used the 357 maxi reamer to open up the chamber to 357 MAG. Accuracy did improve over the 38 SPC he was shooting.

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Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Steve, it's good to see you here. Your website is on my favorites. I believe the reamer has had over 50 rentals. That's a lot for our little world of Handiholics. A lot of trips back and forth to the P.O. for Tim.

My 16.5 inch maxi is my go to farm/truck/ slogging around out back rifle. I'm trying to finish dialing in new glass for her, but at -5F this morning, it aint gonna happen again today.

C.E. Harris did a bunch of work on .357 Ruger's while he was with Ruger and came up with a very accurate throating reamer for problematic No.1s. I think I read about this some years back in magazine of The Cast Bullet Assoc. or an old Gun Digest??I 'filed' that much in the nether regions of my mind for future reference anyway........

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Not aware if there is any difference in reamers, but I used one from cowboyup453 to open up a Martini Cadet that was 357mag. Using the Hornady 180HPXTP I am limited to a max col of 2.020 to enter the chamber and do not touch the rifling at that length. Tried 27gr of A1680 and show no signs of pressure, in fact still getting soot on the cases. I have some 185gr and 200gr bullets ordered from Beartooth and will check again as a different contour may allow a longer length. Goatwhiskers the Elder

Using the Hornady 180XTP (the only heavy bullet I have right now) length was 2.011". Chambers easily. I tried loads from 25 to 27gr A1680, getting less soot as I went up and no signs of pressure. Got groups from 1/2" to just under 3/4" but I'm not too excited at this point 'cause I'm 66 yrs old, in bifocals, and using Parker-Hale target sights. Don't want to think about how long it's been since I shot iron sights. Maybe I should be excited about those groups! Forgot to say the 27gr load gave me 1865fps. Goatwhiskers

Thanks goat.I understand all to well about the iron sites.Don't know what distance your shooting those groups,but if I was shooting irons at 25 yds,I'd be jumping up and down.BTW,i'm only 60.Thanks for the info on your OAL.

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I also used the reamer from cowboyup and ended up with the OAL being 2.20 just off the lands. Can't find AA1680 nearby so working on loads with LiL Gun and the 180 SSP bullets, so far so good.

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